Events & Activities
Every Scout is expected to RSVP to every event. RSVP just means telling us if you’re going or not (or maybe). It’s the only way we can plan. To be considered “active” for rank advancement purposes, a Scout must attend a minimum of 50% of these activities.
Not sure if you signed up? Check here.
For Everyone
Where to Find Information
Every event and activity is listed on our calendar. Events outside of our regular Tuesday troop meetings also have an event page. This is where to find most information.
Details we always post:
Date (with calendar links)
Start and end times
Location (with link to directions)
Event overview
RSVP link
Details we sometimes post:
Detailed Itinerary
Route map (with link to Alltrails)
Packing list
Preparation materials
Post-event photos
Most events also have a “planning doc”. This is a shared google doc that the participating Scouts use to plan their meals, arrange tenting and carpools, create duty rosters, etc. It also includes our emergency plan and contacts.
For Scouts
How to Sign Up
Signing up is easy. Just go the event page and click the RSVP button. You’ll see a form that will ask you for a few details. You can go back and update your response later.
Things to keep in mind:
It’s your job to RSVP. Not mom’s. Not dad’s. Part of the privilege of being a Scout-run troop is the duty that comes with it.
Registration usually closes two weeks before the event. This happens automatically. If you responded yes to an event, we’ll count you in. If you responded no or maybe we’ll assume you aren’t going. We need this lead time to plan the activities, equipment, transportation, etc. Most events are posted several months in advance. If you’re unsure if you signed up, check here.
Some events have earlier deadlines. District events and group events with outside organizations (e.g. Aviation Day, Nuclear Science Day) usually require us to register as a troop and confirm further in advance.
Check with your parents. We’re glad you want to sign up for everything, but be sure to check with your family first, especially if it involves extra cost.
If you don’t show up, or cancel after the deadline, you will still be expected to pay your share of expenses. This includes any special fees we had to pay for things like rental equipment, registration fees for district events, etc. It may also include your portion of the food, since patrols create food budgets and based on the number of Scouts who are registered.
WAIT! Do you have rank requirements you need to fulfill?
Every signup form has a section at the end where you can tell if there’s a requirement you need to complete outdoors—like cooking a meal or being our navigator. If you let us know in advance we’ll almost certainly make it happen.
For Parents
Do Parents Sign Up?
Yes and no. Scouts BSA is by and for youth, but Scouting can’t run without you. We almost always need parents to drive to and from events. Sometimes need additional adult supervision. Please RSVP to any event you’re willing to volunteer for.
Things to Keep in Mind:
When you RSVP you’re volunteering your help, not reserving your spot. If more parents volunteer than are needed, we will strive to come to an equitable consensus.
Every RSVP form has a section for parents. Please let us know if you’re available; we’re grateful for the help!
Come to service days. The troop performs service projects with SF Recreation & Parks about every six weeks (8–10 times per year). Please join us.
Take a hike. Parents are welcome to attend most day hikes. Some, like our 20-Miler, also have shorter options.
Let your Scout sign up themselves. Yes, it’s easier if you just do it for them, but just like packing their own backpack and cleaning their own gear, personal management is part of what they’re here to learn.
We hope that you’ll find time to join us for some of our activities. We also hope you will allow your Scout to experience the independence the program is designed to prepare them for.
Budgeting
How Much Do Activities Cost?
The Troop covers the cost of most reservations and permits. We supply shared equipment like tents, stoves, dutch ovens, and cook sets, essential supplies for cooking and cleaning, and materials used for teaching, games, etc. Scouts plan menus as patrols, and share the cost among participants. Some special activities have additional costs. We have a fundraiser every two years to help defray as many costs as possible.
Things to Keep in Mind:
Patrols plan and purchase their own food. They are assign a budget and plan a menu together. Two Scouts will be designated to purchase food for the patrol. Shoppers are reimbursed by the troop; families then reimburse us. Food shopping for a campout is a First Class rank requirement.
A typical weekend food budget is $25–$35 per Scout. The cost will vary based on the length of the campout, the number of Scouts attending, etc. For some campouts, Scouts are required to work within a strict budget. Backpacking costs more if we need specialized backpacking meals.
Sometimes we stop for food. A trip that starts Friday evening sometimes means getting food on the road. In-N-Out is a popular stop. Scouts should bring their own money, or pack a meal.
Special trips have special costs. Trips that require special equipment (e.g. canoeing, skiing) or entrance fees have an additional cost. High Adventure Trips (i.e. extended backpacking) require specialized meals which increase the food cost. District and Council events (e.g. Camporee, Klondike Derby) often charge a fee. Additional costs will be publicized up front.
We don’t want any Scout to sit out because of cost. If the cost of participation is an issue, please let us know. Contact our Scoutmaster or Troop Committee Chair.
Cancellation Policy
Sometimes plans change. If you need to change your RSVP from yes to no, just resubmit the RSVP form. It’s helpful if you also let us know (email your patrol leader and the adult leader in charge). If you need to cancel after the deadline, you must email us. The form will usually be closed for submissions. If you do cancel after the deadline, you will still be responsible for your share of expenses (e.g. any special fees, rentals, etc.). You may also be responsible for your sahre of the food, since planning, budgeting, an purchasing may have already begun. When possible, we will try to get a refund, but please keep in mind that may mean significant extra work on the part of volunteer leaders.
| Activity | Food | Adtl. Fee | Est. Total | Actual Food | Actual Fees | Actual Total | Notes | Est. T33 Expenses | Actual T333 Expenses | What For | Adult Leader Expenses | What For | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firestarters | Raptors | Turkeys | Goats | Firestarters | Raptors | Turkeys | Goats | ||||||||||||
| Turf & Surf | $35 | $35 | |||||||||||||||||
| Surf lesson (optional) | $105 | $105 | |||||||||||||||||
| District Camporee | $35 | $40 | $75 | $25 | Firewood | ||||||||||||||
| Bushcraft Campout | $25 | $25 | |||||||||||||||||
| Bodega Bay Fishing | $20 | $35 | $55 | $400 | Campsite Reservations | ||||||||||||||
| Mystery Trip | $25 | $25 | |||||||||||||||||
| Pinnacles | $25 | $25 | $150 | Campsite Reservations | $75 | Fuel | |||||||||||||
| Castle Crags* | $35 | $35 | |||||||||||||||||
| Tamales Bay | $25 | $95 | $120 | $90 | |||||||||||||||
| Regular Year Total | $500 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $665 | $0 | $75 | ||||||
| High Adventure Trip | $150 | $150 | $300 | ||||||||||||||||
| Royaneh (per week) | $760 | $760 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | $1,560 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $665 | $0 | $75 | ||||||
Sample Annual Activity Budget
Below are a Scout’s projected out-of-pocket expenses for our 2025–2026 activities. This doesn’t include the cost of clothing or personal gear. We will update this after each trip to include the actual expenses to help with future budgeting.
Notes
Clothing
Some events, like winter camping, may require additional clothing or gear.
Specialized Gear
Things like backpacking packs can be expensive. They can often be rented from REI or borrowed from a troop member. We also have a troop Thrift Store.
Transportation
We don’t directly reimburse transportation costs. Scouts often give the driver a few dollars for fuel. For trips outside the Bay Area, transportation costs are shared among the participants.
Treats
Adult leaders and parents often “throw in” little things like doughnuts or cold drinks at the end of a service project. If you do, we appreciate it. If you want to be reimbursed, please get approval before you buy. See note about campout meals, below.
Campout Meals
Patrols are given a budget for each campout. Working within a budget is one of the skills we want them to learn. Please do not donate food or money.
Additional Events
We share optional outside events we think Scouts may benefit from all the time. Some will have additional costs.